Former priest charged with sexual abuse begins trial

By Katharine Bavoso
WCSH
March 16, 2015

http://www.wcsh6.com/story/news/local/bangor/2015/03/16/priest-charged-with-sexual-abuse-begins-trial/24874739/

Adam Metropoulos in court

BANGOR, Maine (NEWS CENTER) -- The indefinitely suspended Greek Orthodox priest from Bangor who was arrested in September pleaded guilty Monday to child pornography charges and to secretly videotaping a woman showering in his bathroom.

However, Adam Metropoulos pleaded not guilty to other sexual assault charges. Police allege that he sexually abused two boys who stayed at his home.

Metropoulos faced one of his alleged sexual abuse victims Monday as the former 15-year-old altar boy, now 23, took the stand and described what he said happened between him and the former priest.

According to the witness, Metropoulos began sexually abusing him at age 15 when the alleged victim would sleep at the priest's house. The man said that the abuse went on for a year.

In court Monday the judge asked Metropoulos if he had been pressured into pleading guilty to two of the six counts he is facing. Metropoulos said this is "just the situation he's in."

"Emotionally I feel really... angst, really in turmoil, and through that situation I don't feel comfortable but it's the best situation I could make," Metropoulos said to Superior Court Justice Ann Murray.

In an interview between Bangor Detective Timothy Shaw and Metropoulos that was recorded days before his September arrest, Metropoulos admitted to looking at pictures of naked children and said that he has a "predilection" for children that he has been trying to control for years.

The jury waived trial will continue Tuesday morning.